Under 18 Years Old
Funding for your course fees
Funding for your course fees
If you're a full-time student, in most cases, you'll not have to pay fees as long as you meet all the following three conditions:
- UK national or have 'settled status', with no restrictions on how long you can stay.
- Normally live () in Scotland on course start date, short periods away for work, education or holidays are OK.
- Living in the UK for 3 years before the course start date.
From the information you supply on your course application and at enrolment we will if we can claim these. We will let you know if you do not qualify and if you have to pay, this will be noted in your offer letter from our admissions department.
Under 16 - Funding for your living costs
Under 16 - Funding for your living costs
Please note if you are Under 16 years old at the start of your studies student support funds are only available to students who have passed their official school leaving date. Until this date you may be eligible for support for your travel and study costs through your school or the local education authority.
If you are under 16 on 30th September 2024 but turn 16 before 1st March 2025, then we can fund you from January 2025.
Aged 16+ - Funding for your living costs
Aged 16+ - Funding for your living costs
If you are eligible for funding to cover your course fees you may also qualify for student support funding to help with your living costs.
If your parental/household income is less than £24,421 or £26,884 with more than one dependent child in the household, you could receive a potential award of:
- Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) of £30 per week
From the first day of term after your 16th birthday you will be eligible to apply for EMA and Bursary for the cost of travel and study aids. If you are in receipt of EMA you may be eligible for an additional £49.91 if you will live away from home for the course - for example, in term time accommodation.
- Travel Award (*under 22’s travel free by bus in Scotland)
- Study Expenses
- Tuition Fees
If your parental/household income is over these thresholds you are still entitled to travel* and study costs.
Benefits Recipients
Benefits Recipients
If you are in receipt of benefits, you should contact your local Benefits Office or Citizens Advice Office for advice on whether you can continue to claim while studying on your course as full-time students are not normally entitled to receive benefits, however, there are some exceptions.
If you are eligible to receive Universal Credit (UC) while studying, or will have a change of circumstances prior to the start date of your course (such as giving up work) and will need to make a claim for UC, you will be assessed for a maximum bursary maintenance allowance of £28.00 a week. If you receive this allowance, there will be no work-related requirements for UC.
You may also receive funding for travel, study and additional support needs allowances without this having an impact on your UC award. Any maintenance funding awarded over £28.00 a week would reduce your UC award on a pound for pound basis.
You are eligible for Universal Credit if you’re studying full-time and any of the following apply:
- you are under 21 when you start your course and you are without parental support
- you are responsible for a child
- you live with your partner and they’re eligible for Universal Credit
- you are over pension age and live with a partner who is under that age
- you are disabled and have limited capability for work (assessed by the DWP) and get disability living allowance (DLA) or personal independence payment (PIP)
Please see the Government Guidance for Universal Credit and students - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Childcare funds
Childcare funds
Childcare funding is available to assist with the cost of childcare with registered childcare providers while you attend college classes or college placements or complete college course work remotely. As funds are limited, there is a cap on the amount of childcare that can be paid to you. Therefore, please be aware that your childcare costs may not be covered in full.
Childcare funding is paid direct to your childcare provider on receipt of completed childcare timesheets. Childcare timesheets will be sent out to your childcare provider if a childcare award is made to you. Please note that you are responsible for paying your childcare costs until the childcare award has been made to you.
Discretionary Funding
Discretionary funds are primarily for emergency use and in cases of financial hardship. They may be awarded as emergency payments or to help with accommodation costs for single students who have no eligibility for Housing Benefit or payment of housing costs through Universal Credit.
To be considered for accommodation assistance you will need to have a tenancy in your name and be registered at that address for council tax purposes. Students qualify for Council Tax Exemption but still need to be registered at the property.
Emergency payments may also be made from this fund, and these are considered on a case-by-case basis. This fund is means-tested.
What you will need:
- Proof of housing costs - Mortgage/Tenancy Agreement
- Council Tax letter
- Proof of payments
- Household income
- Two months’ recent and consecutive bank statements
- Three months’ recent and consecutive payslips
Please note: You must tick the hardship box (paying rent) on the first page of the application. If you wish to apply after you have already completed an application, you should request a “Re-assessment/Appeal” through your UHI Record.
Additional Support Fund
Additional Support Fund
Funding can be used to cover additional study-related expenses that arise specifically as a result of your disability.
This allowance offers help towards specialist equipment, classroom support and travel costs because you need taxi transport to get to College.
These funds are not means tested on family income but do require an assessment by the College’s Extended Learning Support Team.
If you have a disability or additional support need please contact and we will be pleased to discuss your requirements.